Attorney General

Justice Department memo says Trump had legal authority to appoint Whitaker as acting AG

The appointment of Matthew Whitaker as acting attorney general complied with federal law and the Constitution’s appointments clause, according to a memo written by the chief of the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel.

Nov 14, 2018 12:58 PM CST

Maryland challenges appointment of acting AG Whitaker as illegal and unconstitutional

The wrong person has been named to temporarily take the place of ousted Attorney General Jeff Sessions, according to a motion filed in federal court by the state of Maryland on Tuesday. Maryland claims President Donald Trump’s appointment of Matthew Whitaker as acting attorney general was illegal and unconstitutional, and…

Nov 13, 2018 4:25 PM CST

Was Trump’s appointment of acting AG Whitaker within the law?

Some in the legal community—both liberal and conservative—are questioning whether President Donald Trump acted within his constitutional authority by appointing Matthew Whitaker as acting attorney general after asking Jeff Sessions to resign.

Nov 12, 2018 3:00 PM CST

Sessions limits use of consent decrees to reform police in one of his last acts as AG

Before his ouster on Wednesday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions approved guidelines that limit the Department of Justice’s use of consent decrees to overhaul police departments and other state and local government entities. Consent decrees “should be employed carefully and only after review and approval of senior leadership of the department,”…

Nov 9, 2018 10:45 AM CST

Trump administration will deny asylum to immigrants who cross the border outside ports of entry

Updated: The Trump administration plans to deny asylum to certain immigrants who cross the border illegally under an interim rule change set to be published in the Federal Register on Friday.

Nov 8, 2018 6:11 PM CST

9th Circuit keeps DACA in place, says decision to end program is likely ‘arbitrary and capricious’

A federal appeals court on Thursday affirmed a nationwide injunction that bars the Trump administration from phasing out a program protecting immigrants brought to the country illegally as minors.

Nov 8, 2018 5:04 PM CST

Who is Matthew Whitaker, the new acting attorney general?

Updated: After Jeff Sessions' Wednesday resignation, President Donald Trump announced on Twitter that Matthew G. Whitaker would be stepping in to replace him as U.S. attorney general in an acting capacity.

Nov 8, 2018 6:10 AM CST

Jeff Sessions resigns as US attorney general

Updated: U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has submitted his resignation, at the request of President Donald Trump.

Nov 7, 2018 2:45 PM CST

Citing potential fraud and mismanagement, Justice Department scrutinizes asbestos trusts

The Department of Justice has been increasing its scrutiny of trusts that are set up to compensate victims of asbestos.

Nov 1, 2018 4:05 PM CDT

DOJ argues that law doesn’t protect transgender workers, opposing the EEOC

When Aimee Stephens was fired from a Michigan funeral home, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission took up her case, arguing that her employer could not legally fire her for transitioning from living publicly as a man to living as a woman.

Oct 26, 2018 9:40 AM CDT

As judges rule for sanctuary cities, Chicago sues Sessions for blocking new public safety grants

Litigation over President Donald Trump's order restricting federal grants to sanctuary cities continues, despite several rulings favoring the cities and other jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

Oct 25, 2018 12:10 PM CDT

Indiana AG won’t be charged for alleged groping; prosecutor says he can’t prove intent

A special prosecutor won’t charge Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill with battery for allegedly touching four women inappropriately during an end-of-the-legislative session party in March. In a press conference on Tuesday, special prosecutor Daniel Sigler said he found the four accusers—including a state representative—to be credible, but he doesn’t believe…

Oct 24, 2018 12:49 PM CDT

Sessions blasts judicial activism and deposition order in case on census citizenship question

Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in prepared remarks on Monday that “judges are not sent from Olympus,” and the idea that they must act with empathy is “heresy.”

Oct 16, 2018 9:50 AM CDT

New leader of Justice Department’s civil rights division had defended companies accused of bias

A former Jones Day partner who has represented companies in discrimination lawsuits was confirmed last Thursday to lead the Justice Department’s civil rights division. The Senate vote to confirm Eric Dreiband was 50-47, report Bloomberg Law, Reuters and the Hill. Some civil-rights and gay-rights groups had opposed Dreiband’s nomination, citing…

Oct 15, 2018 1:40 PM CDT

Justice Department will oppose consent decree to reform Chicago Police Department

The U.S. Department of Justice will file a statement of interest opposing a pending consent decree in Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s lawsuit against the Chicago Police Department. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the Justice Department’s opposition to the decree reforming the police department in a statement on Tuesday, report…

Oct 10, 2018 12:25 PM CDT